Maureen Child: Report & Updates June 2011

[administrator]

Dear All

This is a message from members of PEDAL - Portobello Transition Town, which they have asked me to circulate: -

" Many of you will probably already know that PEDAL - Portobello Transition Town http://www.pedal-porty.org.uk , in part­ner­ship with neigh­bour­ing Greener Leith http://www.greenerleith.org/ , is pro­pos­ing to develop a community owned com­mer­cial-scale wind tur­bine on land at Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works (on the border between Portobello and Leith), to gen­er­ate elec­tri­city for sale to local indus­trial users and export to the National Grid. If suc­cess­ful, this will be the first com­munity owned income-generating wind tur­bine in an urban area in the UK. You can read more about the project http://pedal-porty.org.uk/2011/06/wind- ... s-release/ on our website (and there's also a list of FAQs http://pedal-porty.org.uk/energy/wind-p ... rbine-faq/ .

We launched our bid for Energyshare funding http://www.energyshare.com/fund/ on Friday 3rd June, and to be in with a chance of funding we need as many people as possible to sign up and support it! However, to make it we really need your support, as it's the projects with the most online supporters by June 30 which have the most chance of getting funding.

To help build a wind turbine sign-up here http://www.energyshare.com/portobello-l ... y-project/
You need to click on the button saying "Support this group" at the top of that page and enter your details. Leave a comment too if you like, and do pass this on to all your contacts (There are buttons on the Energyshare group page that let you share it by Facebook, Twitter or email). Supporters don't need to live in Portobello, Leith or even Edinburgh. And thanks if you've signed up already! "

PEDAL's AGM and 'Creating the Future Now' session takes place next Thursday, 16 June at Portobello Baptist Church Hall, 185 Portobello High Street (entrance to the wets of the Portobello Bar). All welcome.

Last year PEDAL benefited from a grant from the Scottish Government Climate Challenge Fund. This year, the Craigmillar-based Community Neighbourhood Alliance were successful in attracting a grant of over £180,000 from the same Fund. Their 'Greenhouse Project' is up and running and about to open in premises on Niddrie Mains Road, doing similar work to PEDAL in Portobello.

As you may know, Historic Scotland are enforcing their long-standing ban on commercial vehicles using Holyrood Park as a route form the east to the centre and south side of Edinburgh. Some people have expressed concern that this includes taxis. One of my colleagues, Eric Barry, is a taxi driver and he has share with us definitive legal advice which says taxis ARE allowed in the Park provided they are do not have their 'For Hire' light on - even if they carry commercial advertising. So if you are in a taxi, and the driver is telling you he or she needs to take you the long way round (as has happened to at least one of my constituents on his way home) that is NOT the case. I can send you more details if you needs them.

Finally, Happy Birthday to Portobello Amnesty Group who are celebrating their 50th Birthday this year. They are marking 50 years of their achievements in a number of ways. These include having a display in Portobello Library, Rosefield Avenue featuring 'Women's Rights are Human Rights; Heroes and Heroines; and Burma - A Vision of Hope'. There will hold a street stall near Portobello Town Hall on Saturday 25 June.

Have a good weekend!

Maureen

[administrator]

Dear All
I have attached a newsletter, sent to parents and local Councillors recently, on the progress with the new Portobello High School - to keep you up to date with that. The wonderful showcase art and music evening I attended recently in the current school library will have a fabulous setting once the new school is complete.

Local resident, Mike Knox, who recently retired as Deputy Head Teacher of Holy Rood High School is still very involved in further the developing the very strong local links with Tanzania and he is leading on this years' project: 'A View from Two Volcanoes' to take place during the Edinburgh International Festival. He's asked me to help advertise what they are doing - and invite you to get involved.

This year, there will be a particular focus on life in Scotland and in Tanzania viewed from the twin peaks of two extinct volcanoes – Arthur’s Seat and Mount Kilimanjaro. Their Festival event will run from 10.00am to 10.30pm from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 August in St Mary's Cathedral Hall, in Camino, opposite the Omni Centre and next to John Lewis. An Exhibition will be open from 10.00am to 6.00pm each day there will be an Open Conversation at 6.00pm, a Celebration at 7.30pm and a Cabaret at 9.00pm.

All that activity means a lot to do and a lot of different roles for people to play behind the scenes as well as in the public eye. Mike and the Twende Pamoja Trust are in the process of recruiting and forming several teams to be involved in this venture. Some of the teams will be made up of young people in the 16 to 30 age group, but everyone - whatever their age - is welcome to be involved. If you are interested in being involved in any way in August this year, e mail Mike Knox at: twendepamoja@me.com . Once the list of those involved is finalised a timetable based on each person's time, availability, skills and interests will be drawn up. Any necessary training will be given. Mike says: "It is a great experience to be part of the Festival from the ‘inside’ as part of a diverse team working towards a common goal. You are most welcome to become involved."

I can send you more of the details Mike has already sent me or - better still - do contact Mike Knox direct or you can visit the Website for further information about Twende Pamoja and Pamoja Art: http://www.pamoja-art.co.uk

Finally, I am very much looking forward to attending Castlebrae Community High School's Award Ceremony next week. I had been discussing with Gemma Fraser of the Evening News that we need positive coverage of all the good things that happen in Craigmillar, so it was good to see a fair big piece about young artists from Castlebrae who were commissioned to paint a mural in Castlegreen Care Home Greendykes Road. It looks brilliant, and is great practical experience for the young people, who spent nine months working with the residents and planning the designs before the project was completed.

To finish off - talking of the Council's care home in Craigmillar - I have recently changed my responsibilities to become lead opposition spokesperson on health and social care issues. This is a shift from the environment and sustainability portfolio which I had before. If you have experience as a client or carer, have professional experience in this area of work, that you feel it would be helpful to share with me, please do get in touch.
Have a good weekend!
Maureen

[administrator]

Dear All

Please find this month's Report attached.

I have had a few people in touch with me about the 'tram debacle' and they have given me the benefit of their own personal views - for which I am grateful. Whatever your own thoughts or prejudices on the matter, I can assure you that 'scrapping' the project is NOT an option that I support. To say more, in an unsolicited email such as this, would be against the rules. But I will gladly respond directly if you give me your view first.

The 47th Craigmillar Festival Fun Day is on this Saturday, 2 July, from 12 noon to 4pm. It's being held on land off Niddrie Mains Road, at Wauchope Crescent. The family fun includes 5-a-side football, craft stalls, fairground rides, karaoke, dance displays, bouncy castle, ice creams, burgers, bungee run, pony rides, car boot sale, a samba band, face painting and much more. All welcome! There's still time to book a stall at the car boot sale, by phoning 0131 669 8432 or email craigmillarcommunityarts@gmail.com

The Big Summer Bash is the day before, Friday 1 July, at the Jack Kane Centre - details in the attached Report. Two days of family fun this weekend!

Portobello-based arts charity, Big Things on the Beach are gearing up to the Big Welcome picnic form 3pm to 6pm on Portobello Promenade on Sunday 24 July as part of the 2012 Olympic Open Weekend and Cultural Olympiad. Everyone is invited to decorate a tablecloth to show your international connections with people and places around the world you love. Bring tablecloths, cakes and picnic to Portobello Prom to help to set out a tea table one kilometre long on Portobello sea wall. You are also invited to participate in performance - sport, dance, music - to entertain each other and overseas visitors. The aim is to show the world that Edinburgh's Seaside is a great place to visit. You can get help with your tablecloth design ideas by joining a workshop from 1pm to 5pm on three more Saturdays - July 2, July 9 and July 16 at St Philip's Church Hall, Brunstane Road North. To find out more about how to join in the Big Welcome go to the website http://www.bigthingsonthebeach.org.uk By registering your tablecloth on the website, you support Amnesty International

There are a few more things in the offing over the summer, but these are the ones you may need to know about before next weekend.

Best wishes

Maureen

Councillor’s Report
June 2011

Maureen Child, Labour Councillor for Portobello/Craigmillar

This is an account of a few of my activities in the area and/or a bit of what’s been going on recently. I welcome feedback, and I am happy to deal with questions and take up requests for action on any Council matter. If you need more information, or if you want me to do anything else for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. My contact details are at the end.

Portobello Architecture Heritage Trail
A colourful new guide is now published which helps visitors and residents find out more about Portobello, Edinburgh’s seaside resort. It’s all there in a self-directed walking tour 1.7 miles long, taking about 1-1.5 hours to complete. The updated full-colour leaflet has been produced jointly by Portobello Heritage Trust and Portobello Amenity Society and supported by an award from the Community Grants Fund of the local Neighbourhood Partnership. The funding has allowed many thousands to be produced and provided free. They can be picked up locally from Portobello Library, Portobello Swim Centre, The Beach House Café and other places – as well as at the Tourist Information Centre in central Edinburgh.

Newcraighall and Gilberstoun – Planning Meeting Postponed
A decision about whether or not to grant planning permission on the two sites at Newcraighall has been postponed from Wednesday 22 June to another date, yet to be set. Two rival development companies, who own other sites in Edinburgh, the local community groups and our local MP, Sheila Gilmore, wrote in questioning the legality of making a decision at this point. The Council Solicitor advised the Development Management Sub-Committee of Planning that the two applications should be continued and not heard on the day. I have no indication yet of a date when the matters will come back to the planning committee.

Portobello Golf - Cruden Cup
This is the second year of the Portobello High School open golf championship, where schools compete for the Cruden Cup and the Portobello Community Council’s Sheild. It was a great success this year with 10 schools taking part with the support of the active schools co-ordinators, school staff and friends as volunteers. I got to present the prizes again. The youngsters went round the course faster than anyone expected and I had to rush down to Craigentinny Golf Course to arrive half an hour earlier than scheduled. Craigmount won this year, and everybody got at least a new golf ball for taking part. The main inspiration for the event is Gordon Lawrie, principal teacher of Modern Studies at Porty. He is retiring, but will be back to lead next year’s event.

Summer Activities for Young People
Most of these young people will be on the golf courses of Edinburgh this summer a lot of the time, no doubt, but what about the others? The Portobello and Craigmillar Summer Bash this Friday will give the kids and good time, but also to help showcase what opportunities there will be for them over the summer. All the community centres and youth facilities – like The Venchie and Kids in the Street (KITS) football - have a grant of £5000 each, through the Portobello/Craigmillar Neighbourhood Partnership, to fund their summer programme for young people. At the Jack Kane Centre, from 1 to 4pm on I July - the first Friday of the summer holidays - there will be lots of fun and exciting things to do for all ages, including inflatables, magicians, arts and crafts and football competitions. All under 8s must be accompanied by an adult and activities are free. Last year, 700 young people came from all over East Edinburgh. As part of the day, CAPRO are running a bike assault course with jumps, time trials, ramps and games. It’s an activity for 8 years and older, from 1pm to 3.30pm. Kids just need their parents’ written consent to take part. Bikes are provided, if they don’t have their own. Contact CAPRO for more information on 0131 652 1557.

Straiton Place Park
Our emerging ‘Friends’ group for this small park at the foot of Marlborough Street met on a sunny afternoon, as small children played around us. Some of the ‘Porty Dads’ group are now to meet with the Council’s own playground designers to come up with some ideas and drawings on which to go out to public consultation. Their ideas are firmly based on a survey which so far attracted sixty responses, on paper and on line. These have been analysed by the Council officers, and the local group, and show the main ways the park should be improved, with better play equipment and ways to ensure dog walkers don’t let their pets foul the area.

Joppa Quarry Park
I also met recently with some youngsters and parents in Joppa Quarry Park to talk about how this area might be improved to meet both the needs of neighbours (not to have their gardens, fences and windows damaged by stray balls and players intent on retrieving them!) and those who enjoy a casual game of football. On the basis of our discussions so far, I think we may have come to a resolution which includes marking out a football ‘field’ and goals on the higher level, but placed away from the properties on Milton Road East, and an informal kick-about goal and basketball hoop to the east of the current playground. The local parks manager is getting together a map of what they are proposing, on which I can carry out a consultation, particularly with those nearby. I have stressed that it would be good to have this done and dusted ASA, as the summer holidays are nearly upon us.

Cairntows Park - Victory for Common Sense
I am delighted that common sense prevailed with the Council, their regeneration company PARC and developer New City Vision who decided not to continue pursuing the ill-conceived proposal to develop Cairntows Park for housing; not even with a ‘cut-down’ version they were going to present at a public meeting in Bristo Memorial Church Hall on Monday 20 June. The local community campaign took them completely by surprise, but – to my mind – the furore was totally predictable. I am pleased to hear that NCV they are still prepared to go ahead with the approved scheme at the former Niddrie Mill Primary school; a scheme which has already been consulted upon, amended and attracted (unusually) widespread community support.

New Junction - Duddingston Road South, Wisp and Niddrie Mains Road
This junction had a considerable amount of work done to it recently and – as a regular bus passenger – I find it a huge success. I flagged up a couple of problems, as work went ahead, which meant a couple of bits of re-thinking by the project team. Most of those are now resolved. If you use this junction regularly, I would appreciate feedback on how it’s working, if you have not already done so. Similar work does need to be done to improve the junction at the other end of Niddrie Mains Road.

My Contact Details: Councillor Maureen Child, City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ; phone number 529 3268; email maureen.child@edinburgh.gov.uk My ‘surgeries’ for constituents are normally on Monday evenings at Castleview Community Centre, 76 Craigmillar Castle Avenue at 5.30pm, then on to Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue at 7pm. Please do phone 529 3268 to check my availability first, or to make an appointment at another time and place more convenient to you.

P.S. If you want to receive more regular updates by email, do just let me know.